OBS Day 19: 2x3mi @ MP, 1mi Recovery

With tight quads beginning to ease of Sunday’s exertions, Simkiss dosed up on Ibuprofen and headed over to McCarkiss HQ ready to take on this session; his first proper session of the Operation Big Smoke Plan.

McCarthy awaited, somewhat under-dressed by his normal standards although pleasingly had taken on board advice from Simkiss that you can’t wear tights in a session. Shorts only. McCarthy had even been kind enough to leave the dregs of his cafetiere so that training partner Simkiss could enjoy a mouthful of lukewarm coffee.

The session was hard work, but McCarthy showed his strength and fitness throughout the session. Marathon pace was target (5:42/mi apparently), and the pair ran side by side for the first effort, clocking mile splits of 5:39, 5:36, 5:35… Unnecessarily ahead of target pace, though with a tail wind present. Simkiss said it felt more like 10mile pace than marathon pace… wuss.

The second effort was into a headwind; in-form McCarthy lead the way, cutting through the headwind like a double decker bus and easing the path for wheezy Simkiss who trailed behind. Struggling to keep up, Simkiss was both pleased to reach the final mile, and distraught at the notion of still having a mile to run. McCarthy, like a true arsehole, picked up the pace, knowing full well Simkiss had forgotten his Garmin and hadn’t a clue what was going on, other than that he was wading through treacle. Second effort saw splits of 5:40, 5:39, 5:32 (5:33 for Simkiss who dropped a few metres over the final mile).